The Party of European Progress (SEP) has stated that, according to the latest statistics from Monstat, inflation is rising uncontrollably in Montenegro, while real wages are steadily declining,

The party stated in a press release that the absence of economic policy and lack of state control signalled growing poverty.

“While officials keep talking about measures that are yet to take effect, citizens face a harsh reality every time they go shopping – the prices of basic food items are rising daily, and the decline in living standards has become a brutal part of everyday life for most families,” the press release reads.

The SEP added that items such as milk, dish detergent, toilet paper, bananas, yogurt, and tomatoes, which had, until recently, been relatively affordable, were now becoming luxuries.

“Every extra euro at the checkout is a blow to the household budget and a bitter reminder that empty promises have replaced systemic protection of living standards. The lack of economic policy and absence of state control signal poverty, as inflation crushes even the little dignity the average citizen has left,” SEP said.

The party pointed out that the annual inflation rate had reached a 12-month high of 4.5 percent in May.